Hastings staying up

This fine result, coupled with Leatherhead’s 2-0 defeat at home to Kingstonian, means the U’s are certain of finishing outside the bottom four.

Harrow Borough - the other team in the relegation mix going into the penultimate weekend of the season - won 1-0 against AFC Hornchurch.

Hastings stormed into a 2-0 half time lead after Lowestoft lost their goalkeeper Andy Reynolds to injury early in the match which meant striker Michael Frew had to take over between the posts.

Skipper Josh Jirbandey netted with a thumping header from a Lee Carey corner on 25 minutes and Bradley Goldberg doubled the lead with a fine strike 10 minutes later.

Lowestoft, who went into the match still in with an outside chance of clinching the title, halved the deficit soon after half time through Chris Henderson and went on to pile on the pressure.

The U’s restored their two-goal advantage, however, when Bailo Camara broke clear and scored at the second attempt.

Hastings: Armstrong-Ford, Dixon, Whitehead, Carey, Ray, Jirbandey, Ellis (Gonsalves), Crellin, Goldberg (Manning), Attwood, Camara. Subs: Sutton.

Ryman Premier bottom six (played 41): Harrow Borough 47pts, HASTINGS UNITED 47, Leatherhead 41, Aveley 27, Tooting & Mitcham Utd 27, Horsham 14.

Hastings will conclude their season at home to Metropolitan Police next Saturday.